Shaunie O’Neal Talks Pink Slips, Firings & Why Both Were Essential to the ‘Basketball Wives’ Franchise

In the reality TV realm, they come and they go–swiftly. And with five seasons under her belt, the creator and cast member of Basketball Wives has seen some employee tenure on the popular VH1 show. Gearing up for a new season, the ex-wife of Shaq O’Neal chatted with Sister 2 Sister about some of the recent departures. Initially, back in 2010 the cast included: Shaunie O’Neal, Royce Reed, Jennifer Williams, Suzie Ketcham, Evelyn Lozada and Gloria Govan. Since then, we’ve seen quite a few pinks slips--Jennifer, Royce, Kenya Bell, Kesha Nichols and Meeka Claxton. 

Some of the exits were necessary, just because it wasn’t clicking anymore. It’s hard to continue filming with people that you just have nothing else to talk about or nothing in common with, or that relationship has withered away. You have other people that situations made it bad and situations made your friendship different…[things] that are out of your control. I hate to see those moments happen. That’s not a great way to see somebody go. I wish some people could have stayed and made it work.

Well, Tami’s personality is …it’s incredible. You love her, hate her, whatever. You can’t live without some part of Tami on ‘Basketball Wives. She just brings so much to the show… There’s still something about her that drives you to watching.